TikTok has strongly denied accusations by US congressman Brad Sherman that its owners purchased $300 million worth of Trump meme coins. Responding via its official policy account on X, the company labelled the claims false and misleading.
Sherman alleged that the memecoin purchase was effectively a bribe to influence Donald Trump’s stance on banning TikTok in the US.
However, the accusations appear based on a report involving GD Culture Group, a Nasdaq-listed company with no direct connection to TikTok or its parent ByteDance.
GD Culture reportedly announced plans to buy Trump coins and Bitcoin while using TikTok to distribute AI-enhanced content. Despite this, no financial link between the firm and Trump or TikTok has been confirmed.
The timing of the claim coincides with Trump’s third delay in enforcing the TikTok ban, raising further political speculation. Sherman, a long-time crypto critic, also said that Trump’s crypto ventures threaten the US dollar’s dominance.
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A key member of the infamous Ryuk ransomware gang has been extradited to the US after his arrest in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The 33-year-old man was detained in April 2025 at the request of the FBI and arrived in the US on 18 June to face multiple charges.
The suspect played a critical role within Ryuk by gaining initial access to corporate networks, which he then passed on to accomplices who stole data and launched ransomware attacks.
Ukrainian authorities identified him during a larger investigation into ransomware groups like LockerGoga, Dharma, Hive, and MegaCortex that targeted companies across Europe and North America.
According to Ukraine’s National Police, forensic analysis revealed the man’s responsibility for locating security flaws in enterprise networks.
Information gathered by the hacker allowed others in the gang to infiltrate systems, steal data, and deploy ransomware payloads that disrupted various industries, including healthcare, during the COVID pandemic.
Ryuk operated from 2018 until mid-2020 before rebranding as the notorious Conti gang, which later fractured into several smaller but still active groups. Researchers estimate that Ryuk alone collected over $150 million in ransom payments before shutting down.
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The preliminary injunction, issued on 6 June by Judge Denise Cote, cited a strong likelihood that OPM and DOGE violated both the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Administrative Procedures Act.
The lawsuit, led by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and several advocacy groups, alleges that OPM unlawfully disclosed information from one of the largest federal employee databases to DOGE, a controversial initiative reportedly linked to billionaire Elon Musk.
The database includes names, social security numbers, health and financial data, union affiliations, and background check records for millions of federal employees, applicants, and retirees.
Union representatives and privacy advocates called the ruling a significant win for data protection and government accountability. AFGE President Everett Kelley criticised the involvement of ‘Musk’s DOGE cronies’, arguing that unelected individuals should not have access to such sensitive material.
The legal action also seeks to delete any data handed over to DOGE. The case comes amid ongoing concerns about federal data security following OPM’s 2015 breach, which compromised information on more than 22 million people.
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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s call for ‘sovereign AI’ is gaining traction among European leaders who want more control over their data and digital future. He argues that nations must develop AI rooted in their own language, culture and infrastructure.
During a recent European tour, Huang unveiled major partnerships and investments European cities, citing the region’s over-reliance on US tech firms. European officials echoed his concerns, with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz supporting national AI initiatives.
The EU plans to build four AI gigafactories, aiming to reduce dependence on US cloud giants and strengthen regional innovation. Nvidia has committed to providing chips for these projects, while startups like Mistral are working to become local leaders in AI development.
Despite enthusiasm, high energy costs and limited resources may hinder Europe’s progress. Industry voices warn that without sustained investment, the region could struggle to match the spending power of US hyperscalers.
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A new surveillance scandal has emerged in Europe as forensic evidence confirms that an Israeli spyware firm Paragon used its Graphite tool to target journalists through zero-click attacks on iOS devices. The attacks, requiring no user interaction, exposed sensitive communications and location data.
Citizen Lab and reports from Schneier on Security identified the spyware on multiple journalists’ devices on April 29, 2025. The findings mark the first confirmed use of Paragon’sspyware against members of the press, raising alarms over digital privacy and press freedom.
Backed by US investors, Paragon has operated outside of Israel under claims of aiding national security. But its spyware is now at the center of a widening controversy, particularly in Italy, where the government recently ended its contract with the company after two journalists were targeted.
Experts warn that such attacks undermine the confidentiality crucial to journalism and could erode democratic safeguards. Even Apple’s secure devices proved vulnerable, according to Bleeping Computer, highlighting the advanced nature of Graphite.
The incident has sparked calls for tighter international regulation of spywarefirms. Without oversight, critics argue, tools meant for fighting crime risk being used to silence dissent and target civil society.
The Paragon case underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and stronger protections in an age of powerful, invisible surveillance tools.
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Researchers at the Quantum Systems Accelerator have announced significant progress in building scalable, stable quantum computers focusing on trapped-ion technology.
Their work marks a series of engineering milestones pushing quantum computing toward practical use.
A new ion trap chip can store up to 200 ions and significantly reduces power loss by redesigning its internal layout.
Developed and tested with collaborators at Duke and Cornell in the US, this design allows for the future creation of far larger qubit systems without overheating or energy waste.
At the University of Maryland, a team achieved parallel quantum gate operations using different spatial directions, overcoming prior interference issues.
However, this innovation boosts processing speed and accuracy, offering more efficient handling of time-sensitive quantum tasks.
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Teachers across the US are growing alarmed by widespread student use of AI for assignments, calling it a crisis that undermines education itself. Some professors report that students now rely on AI for everything from note-taking to essay writing, leaving educators questioning the future of learning.
The fear of false accusations is rising among honest students, with some recording their screens to prove their work is genuine. Detection tools often misfire, further complicating efforts to distinguish real effort from AI assistance.
While some argue for banning tech and returning to traditional classroom methods, others suggest rethinking US education entirely. Rather than fighting AI, some believe it offers a chance to re-engage students by giving them meaningful work they want to do.
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The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has urged Congress to centre AI policy on human dignity and the common good.
Their message outlines moral principles rather than technical guidance, warning against misuse of technology that may erode truth, justice, or the protection of the vulnerable.
The bishops caution against letting AI replace human moral judgement, especially in sensitive areas like family life, work, and warfare. They express concern about AI deepening inequality and harming those already marginalised without strict oversight.
Their call includes demands for greater transparency, regulation of autonomous weapons, and stronger protections for children and workers in the US.
Rooted in Catholic social teaching, the letter frames AI not as a neutral innovation but as a force that must serve people, not displace them.
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The US Social Security Administration is launching digital access to Social Security numbers in the summer of 2025 through its ‘My Social Security’ portal. The initiative aims to improve convenience, reduce physical card replacement delays, and protect against identity theft.
The digital rollout responds to the challenges of outdated paper cards, rising fraud risks, and growing demand for remote access to US government services. Cybersecurity experts also recommend using VPNs, antivirus software, and identity monitoring services to guard against phishing scams and data breaches.
While it promises faster and more secure access, experts urge users to bolster account protection through strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and avoidance of public Wi-Fi when accessing sensitive data.
Users should regularly check their credit reports and SSA records and consider requesting an IRS PIN to prevent tax-related fraud. The SSA says this move will make Social Security more efficient without compromising safety.
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US President Donald J. Trump signed a new Executive Order (EO) aimed at amending existing federal cybersecurity policies. The EO modifies selected provisions of previous executive orders signed by former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, introducing updates to sanctions policy, digital identity initiatives, and secure technology practices.
One of the main changes involves narrowing the scope of sanctions related to malicious cyber activity. The new EO limits the applicability of such sanctions to foreign individuals or entities involved in cyberattacks against US critical infrastructure. It also states that sanctions do not apply to election-related activities, though this clarification is included in a White House fact sheet rather than the EO text itself.
The order revokes provisions from the Biden-era EO that proposed expanding the use of federal digital identity documents, including mobile driver’s licenses. According to the fact sheet, this revocation is based on concerns regarding implementation and potential for misuse. Some analysts have expressed concerns about the implications of this reversal on broader digital identity strategies.
In addition to these policy revisions, the EO outlines technical measures to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities across federal agencies. These include:
Developing new encryption standards to prepare for advances in quantum computing, with implementation targets set for 2030.
Directing the National Security Agency (NSA) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue updated federal encryption requirements.
Refocusing artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity initiatives on identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities.
Assigning the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) responsibility for updating and guiding secure software development practices. This includes the establishment of an industry consortium and a preliminary update to its secure software development framework.
The EO also includes provisions for improving vulnerability tracking and mitigation in AI systems, with coordination required among the Department of Defence, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
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